Healthy living with LAM

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a degenerative lung disease. As the disease progresses, one’s lung function decreases. A major symptom of LAM is shortness of breath and many women with LAM require supplemental oxygen. These things make exercising pretty hard, but exercise is so important for us! My doctor strongly encourages me and all her patients to exercise regularly to keep our lungs and the rest of our bodies as fit as can be. She also sees exercise as a good way for me to keep tabs on my disease. If I’ve been exercising regularly, I might be more likely to notice if something is wrong. She also advises that I eat a balanced, healthy diet.

All of this is of course extremely difficult! As readers of this blog know, I love good food and drink. And even though I love going for long walks around new cities, I hate going to the gym and working out. But I know it’s important. A lot of the women with LAM I’ve interacted with have taken steps to improve their overall health and have found they feel better as a result. One thing I love about the LAM patient community is how supportive and inspiring we women can be when it comes to helping others reach their goals. So with that in mind, here are some healthy living ideas from the women I spoke to.

I exercise regularly but try not to be too hard on myself. If I’m having a “bad” breathing day, I either relax or do exercise at a lower rate. I am eating a reduced inflammation/low carb diet which has helped a few aspects of my daily life.

I started eating right and forcing myself on that treadmill daily. I am on the treadmill every single day: an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening. I have to turn up my oxygen as high as it will go though to keep my sats at at least to 93.